Explore Norfolk
Coast, country houses, good food and wild Norfolk.
The places we send our guests — for a good lunch, a long walk, a day by the sea or somewhere worth making a detour for.
Eat
From brilliant pubs, artisanal bakeries to special-occasion restaurants, these are the places we recommend.
Socius
45 minute driveOne of our favourites for a special lunch or dinner. Modern British small plates, relaxed service and consistently excellent food. Bookings advised.
The Dabbling Duck, Great Massingham
25 min driveA lovely village pub overlooking the green, with excellent seasonal food, a relaxed atmosphere and a beautiful garden. Perfect for a leisurely lunch after exploring the Norfolk countryside.
Mabel, Downham Market
12 min driveAward winning small-batch bakery for sourdough, pastries and very good coffee. Go early — the best things have a habit of disappearing.
The Hare Arms, Stowebardolph
10 min driveA proper country pub with good food, open fires and a big garden — complete with resident peacocks. A lovely nearby option for lunch or an easy supper.
Walk
Coast, marshes, nature reserves and a few favourite places to stretch your legs.
The Great Ouse & St Mary's Church, Islington
5 min drivePark just after the bridge at Magdalen then follow the Great River Ouse through open Fenland towards the atmospheric ruins of St Mary's Church. A lovely combination of riverside scenery, wildlife and local history.
Holkham beach
45 min driveWalk through the pine woods to one of Norfolk's most spectacular beaches, with vast stretches of golden sand, dunes and plenty of space to explore.
Salthouse and the Norfolk Coastal Path
50 min driveExplore the salt marshes and shingle beach at Salthouse, with wonderful views along the North Norfolk coast. Finish with lunch or a drink at The Dun Cow.
The Wash National Nature Reserve
VariousAn extraordinary landscape of tidal mudflats, salt marshes and wide-open skies. Particularly beautiful in autumn and winter, when thousands of migratory birds gather along the coast.
Buy
Independent shops, antiques, interiors and the occasional unexpected find.
Holt bookshops
40 min driveSeveral within a few streets, one of them enormous and entirely uncatalogued.
Creake Abbey market
15 min driveFirst Saturday of the month. Cheese, flowers, and very good bread.
The farm shop, Docking
12 min driveMilk, eggs and vegetables if you would rather cook than go out.
See
Historic houses, beautiful gardens and places worth making a day of.
Houghton Hall
25 min driveThe most fantastic walled garden, an excellent cafe and large sculptures in the grounds most summers.
Binham Priory
30 min driveA ruined nave and a working church in the same building. Usually empty.
Cley Marshes
40 min driveHides, reedbeds and the best birdwatching on this coast. Bring the binoculars from the study.
One booking at a time, all year.
Two night minimum. We answer every enquiry ourselves.
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